Arsenal fans on Twitter: Reaction to the Europa League draw
It is probably reasonable to presume that Arsenal fans approached their Europa League draw with mixed feelings. After 19 consecutive seasons in the Champions League, they will have felt some sadness at no longer being able to dine at the top table, but many fans remained upbeat in the face of adversity as they took to Twitter to share their feelings:
We need to win this #EuropaLeague, it's an UEFA's trophy and our closest chance to get into #UCL. #COYG! 🏆
— El Sayas (@Alberto_Sayago) August 25, 2017
We've been in #UCL for years without winning the trophy. I see no reason to rant for not being there this season. #UCLdraw #Arsenal
— Ibrahim Usman (@Ebrahym_brah) August 25, 2017
lol when you call arsenal a waste of a ucl space. im sorry but as if other english teams have done better??? get outta here
— Aya K. (@itsayapapaya) August 26, 2017
Arsenal Fans should be happy, they now have the Europa league to lose coz they are favourites. round 16 #UCL elimination was too much #COYG
— Gibbs (@NyaigotiNyasani) August 25, 2017
This defiance aside, some fans were distracted by the constant references to Bayern Munich. After all, the Bavarians have eliminated the Gunners from the Champions League at the second round stage in three of the last four seasons, including a 10-2 aggregate thrashing last year.
Will bayern miss Arsenal in UCL.?
— Anas (@anasmak25) August 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/reallybayern/status/901112204031913985
Bayern is still searching for Arsenal! #FanZoneHBR
— KIUNGO MKABAJI™ (@Frank_Riziki) August 26, 2017
#HBRFanzone @GMONEYizME @JohnHBR a Bayern M agent was arrested fr tryn to sabotage the ucl draw by labeling one of the balls arsenal
— patoWSKI (@MurokiMaterhorn) August 26, 2017
There is no doubt that Gunners’ fans seemed more emboldened by the challenge of playing the Europa League than bitter rivals Spurs were when appraising their own Champions League group. A few Arsenal fans were even intrigued by the prospect of playing their rivals in the knockout stages of the Europa League!
Spurs got a typical arsenal draw for ucl.
— Made You Look (@MadeYouLookUK) August 25, 2017
I think Spurs finish 3rd and wind up playing Arsenal in Europa 😂
— RunRideDive (@RunRideDive) August 26, 2017
Spurs vs Arsenal final, heard it first here
— James (@jamesmynot) August 26, 2017
Who is offering odds on Arsenal meeting Spurs in the europa league this year? @SkyBet @WilliamHill @Ladbrokes @paddypower @bet365
— london drive (@london_drive) August 26, 2017
Overall, Arsenal fans seem determined to embrace their Europa League experience for what it is worth, with some describing it as a much-needed wake-up call and others reaffirming that the tournament offers a great chance for the Gunners to lift their first European title since lifting the Cup Winners Cup against Parma in 1994.
As an #Arsenal fan I hope this is a wake-up call to the team. We need to have the fire, hunger & ambition again to challenge 4 #EPL & #UCL
— Alejo Johnson (@alejojohnson) August 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/Grozil18/status/901348463283130368
https://twitter.com/Marblehalls_TV/status/901350540940062720
